The Visuwords Web 2.0 tool is an interactive graphical dictionary. It creates a visual display of meanings to words much like a neural net.
The Visuwords database uses Princeton University’s WordNet.
The graphical dictionary can be zoomed in, zoomed out and panned around to view all nodes. The individual nodes can be picked up and moved. The branches have rubber band like characteristics. The nodes can be double clicked on and they will expand.
The browser can be enlarged to fill the browser with the graphical dictionary.
A legend is provided to explain the differences in colours, lines and arrows used in the neural net.
Students can take screen captures of their researched word or term and use it in other digital media.
Analysis of the Web 2.0 tool: Visuwords The Visuwords Web 2.0 tool is a digital technology that will engage students, especially visual-spatial learners, to look up words to find their meanings and associations. Jackson, A., Gaudet, L., McDaniel, L., Brammer, D. (2009) state that visual-spatial learners are well ordered and organised learners. Visual-spatial learners would benefit most from using Visuwords, along with the bodily-kinesthetic learner as they are able to pick up the nodes and move the neural net around. The interpersonal and intrapersonal can both benefit from this Web 2.0 tool depending on whether they work independently or collaboratively with the tool.
Visuwords should be used within a collective of Web 2.0 tools by students to assist in the understanding of terms, so that they are able to go on to complete the bigger task.
Learning Environment Example Subject: Senior Graphics, QSA Syllabus (2007)
All QSA syllabus have a literacy and numeracy component. Visuwords will support the literacy component within the Graphics subjects as well as the practical Technology based subjects.
Referring to the Learning Environment Examples on the Text 2 Mind Map & Wordle pages, Visuwords is to be used to assist students with the brainstorming activities in order to create their lists for the planning and refinement tasks of their context-based folio and extended graphical response.
Journal References Jackson, A., Gaudet, L., McDaniel, L., Brammer, D. (2009). Curriculum Integration: The Use of Technology to Support Learning. Journal of College Teaching & Learning; Nov2009, Vol. 6 Issue 7, p71-78, 8p
About the Web 2.0 tool
Analysis of the Web 2.0 tool: Visuwords
The Visuwords Web 2.0 tool is a digital technology that will engage students, especially visual-spatial learners, to look up words to find their meanings and associations. Jackson, A., Gaudet, L., McDaniel, L., Brammer, D. (2009) state that visual-spatial learners are well ordered and organised learners. Visual-spatial learners would benefit most from using Visuwords, along with the bodily-kinesthetic learner as they are able to pick up the nodes and move the neural net around. The interpersonal and intrapersonal can both benefit from this Web 2.0 tool depending on whether they work independently or collaboratively with the tool.
Visuwords should be used within a collective of Web 2.0 tools by students to assist in the understanding of terms, so that they are able to go on to complete the bigger task.
Learning Environment Example
Subject: Senior Graphics, QSA Syllabus (2007)
All QSA syllabus have a literacy and numeracy component. Visuwords will support the literacy component within the Graphics subjects as well as the practical Technology based subjects.
Referring to the Learning Environment Examples on the Text 2 Mind Map & Wordle pages, Visuwords is to be used to assist students with the brainstorming activities in order to create their lists for the planning and refinement tasks of their context-based folio and extended graphical response.
Journal References
Jackson, A., Gaudet, L., McDaniel, L., Brammer, D. (2009). Curriculum Integration: The Use of Technology to Support Learning. Journal of College Teaching & Learning; Nov2009, Vol. 6 Issue 7, p71-78, 8p
Government & Legislation References
Queensland Studies Authority (QSA). (2007). Graphics: Years 11&12 Senior Syllabus. Retrieved from http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/downloads/senior/snr_graphics_07_syll.pdf